For most folks, New Year’s resolutions consist of a lot of don’ts. Don’t eat as much; don’t drink so much; don’t spend so much money; and so on and so forth. No wonder most resolutions last about as long as beer at a bachelor party.
A few years ago, when it suddenly dawned on me that birthdays and holidays were arriving much quicker than they used to, I made a major change. My New Year promises now include a lot more dos than don’ts, and I actually enjoy them and have no trouble fulfilling each and every one. The fact that I’m a devout outdoorsman and relate many of my resolutions to cast and blast endeavors certainly helps, and won’t surprise most of my acquaintances and longtime readers.
If you’re also a sportsman, emulate a few of my ideas and I’ll bet 2011 turns out far more satisfying with more dos and fewer don’ts. Maine in general and Aroostook County is particular abound with outdoor opportunities that make every season, each month and every day worth experiencing.
Recent mild weather has caused snow cover to dwindle, so it’s still possible to take a walk in the woods. Rabbit hunting is top rate and the usually well camouflaged white snowshoe hare stand out on the bare ground. Resolve to get out on snowshoes or cross country skis for a healthy hike, and carry the .22 or a shotgun if you fancy rabbit stew.
Since dusk arrives early and evenings are long, try your hand at a new hobby, particularly one that will support outings afloat and afield. Take up fly tying or rod building, anyone of any age can do it, and nothing beats catching fish on flies and rods you created from scratch. Learn to reload shotgun shells or handgun and rifle cartridges. Not only will it save money and help pass time, but a wider variety of better quality shells will be the reward.
For those sports who favor wood working, try building canoe paddles, landing nets, push poles for boats and canoes or commit yourself to hand crafting a canoe in your garage or basement. Sportsmen gifted with some artistic talent get into carving decoys, either decorative or working models. Now there’s a resolution that offers relaxation and an end result reward.
While trout, salmon and togue remain prime quarry for most County fishermen, resolve to go smallmouth bass or musky fishing at least once in the New Year. Smallies are amazingly acrobatic and aerobatic, while musky are large, fierce, tackle-testing brutes, and after hooking either species your first outing won’t be your last.
Pack a picnic lunch and a rod or two, load up the wife or one of the kids and spend some family bonding time either floating a canoe along or bank fishing the Aroostook, Meduxnekeag, Prestile, St. Croix or Allagash. How about randomly picking a remote lake or pond in the North Maine Woods and spend a day exploring, hiking, wildlife watching and fishing in an all new location.
Deer hunting has become a more frustrating than challenging the last few falls so make a change and try a few days of waterfowl wing shooting. Ducks and geese seem more plentiful each autumn throughout Aroostook. Many sportsmen swear that wild turkey are every bit as wily as whitetails, so make a resolution to spend a couple of days downstate trying to bag a giant gobbler during the spring or fall seasons.
If you have to travel south for business make a point to visit the coast, and not just for lobster, scenic seascapes and the salt air. Shoreline striped bass fishing from the beach or the banks of tidal streams is easy to do and fish are great fighters and tasty tablefare. In the late fall while the wife is Christmas shopping, dress in warm camo gear and hide among shoreline rocks with a shotgun in hand for some fast and furious sea duck gunning.
One of my own resolutions a couple of Januarys ago was to set out a trail camera or two along game trails near my home. You can’t imagine the variety of animals I’ve caught on film and how exciting it is to retrieve each photo chip and peruse the pictures. I’ve also fulfilled my resolution to set up several bird feeders around the yard, and the feathered and furred entertainment has been rewarding and entertaining.
It’s been my experience that few folks near death’s door say, “Gee, I wish I’d have worked one more day.” But a heck of a lot wistfully mention they’re sorry that a few more days weren’t spent hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, or enjoying some other favorite pastime. Life’s short! Don’t waste a single precious day, make your New Year’s resolutions rewarding.
